City, merchants spar over NBA All-Star Game fence

Orlando has offered to compensate a row of small businesses that will be shut out of the action during the NBA All-Star Weekend — but the offer is a bit less than the $3.5 million the businesses initially sought.

City officials have offered the four largest businesses $3,000 each, and six smaller shops $1,500 each. In exchange, they'd have to agree not to sue the city over an 8-foot fence that will be placed between their businesses and events at the Amway Center during three days of festivities.

"I believe this is our best effort, and it's more than anyone could or should expect," said Commissioner Daisy Lynum, who represents the area.

But Lorenzo Williams, an attorney representing some of the West Church Street businesses, described the city's offer as "chicken feed."

"If they don't want to reach out in a meaningful way to resolve differences, the only redress we have is the court of law," said Williams, who works for the law firm of Willie Gary, a high-profile attorney from Stuart.

The 10 businesses occupy the ground floor of a parking garage across Church Street from the arena, and the city is their landlord.

The fence will close off Church Street between Hughey and Division avenues Feb. 24-26, when thousands of deep-pocketed fans are expected to fill downtown for the NBA's premier event.

Customers will still be able to get to the wide sidewalk in front of the businesses, and they'll be directed through gates to the sidewalk when they exit. But they won't easily be able to pass back and forth between events such as a pre-game concert and the stores selling frozen yogurt, candy, pizza and other goods.

Representatives of the city and the Orlando Magic said the NBA routinely fences off the All-Star venue for security reasons.

"This is a major security event," Magic CEO Alex Martins said. "Homeland Security and the FBI are all involved in the planning for this event, and we need to make sure that it goes off without an incident."

NBA representatives offered to place the businesses inside the fence. But that would have blocked access for any customers not attending the pricey games, so the owners rejected that plan.

Likewise, Timothy Adebule, whose Three Masks shops sells African carvings and jewelry, said Monday the city's offer of compensation sounds "too low for the magnitude of what's coming. … This is a big event."

Other merchants would not comment.

Orlando administrators were stung by the criticism, saying they've helped these business owners more than any others that rent city property. Several have received city grants, and when arena construction closed Church Street, the city and the Magic heavily subsidized their rent.

Even now, records show the city has been a forgiving landlord. Four of the 10 businesses are at least 90 days behind in rent — two by eight months or more.

"We have gone above and beyond to help these businesses," Lynum said. "We want them to have the opportunity to turn a profit."